Adam Ruins Animals

Adam Conover / Sunday, September 18, 2016, 9:49pm

In this episode, Adam reveals how purebred dogs are genetic monsters, domesticated cats are overpopulated killing machines and wild animal trophy hunting can actually help endangered species. Here are his sources.

Sources

“But that’s backwards. Mutts are dogs in their natural state! Even though humans have lived with domesticated dogs for over ten thousand years, purebred dogs didn’t even exist until about a hundred and fifty years ago.”

“Kennell clubs prohibit purebred dogs from mating outside their breed, and breeders often mate them with members of their own family! Meaning this cute this little is more inbred than an Austrian duke.”

“Their noses are so squashed that they can barely breathe. Their heads are so big that they almost always have to be born via C-section. Their tails can become ingrown, they basically all have hip dysplasia, and their average life expectancy is SIX YEARS. These dogs shouldn’t even be alive.”

“Poachers are organized, they’re ruthless, and they are decimating animal populations. In some countries, rhino horn is believed to cure cancer and even hangovers, and sells for up to $45,000 a pound. That’s more than gold or cocaine.”

“True! But still, this system works! In addition to the public land already set aside for them, 25 percent of all white rhinos in South Africa now roam free on private land, and their population has gone from one hundred a century ago to over twenty thousand alive today.”

“And you know what - endangered animals in Africa need a lot of help. But so do a lot of other, less traditionally cute animals! For instance, the critically endangered American Burying Beetle. They bury decaying rodent carcasses and lay their eggs in them! That helps plants grow!”